One-piece swivel clip and swivel prong

Details One-piece swivel clip and swivel prong One-piece swivel clip and swivel prong

1999-10-12

2001-11-13

King, Anita (Department: 3632)

Supports

Pipe or cable

Brackets

C248S065000, C248S544000, C248S548000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315250

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a swivel clip or swivel prong including two relatively rotatable members. Windows are configured in the clip to provide internal gates to fill both members during the molding process. The internal gates are broken prior to use to allow the members to rotate with respect to each other. Support bosses eliminate or minimize endplay during the relative rotation of the members.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, swivel clips are frequently molded as two separate pieces which are snapped together after molding. The snap fits typically require a high insertion force to maintain a marginally acceptable retention force. Similarly, clips are sometimes molded as a single piece with snap detent mechanism to engage an aperture in the structure (for example, architectural or automotive structures), but this does not provide an adequate swivel mechanism for some applications, such as tube routing with a variation in the angle of the tubes. Likewise, this does not provide a high retention force, or at a minimum, provides a retention force which is related to the force required for installation of the clip.
Additionally, some prior art clips included a metal-to-plastic rotational interface which was not long-wearing.
Likewise, clips in the prior art, particularly if sized for free rotation, tended to have endplay and to rattle. This is unacceptable for automotive applications.
Examples of prior art in this field include U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,688 to Itoh et al. entitled “Cable Clamp”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,523 to Daigle et al. entitled “Suspendable Conduit Bracket Lock System”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,750 to Ward entitled “Wiring Harness Clip”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,837 to Rubinstein entitled “Plastic Swivel Connector and Mold Therefor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,243 to Kraus et al. entitled “Plastic Holding Device with Noise Dampening”; and United Kingdom Patent Application GB 2,218,462A entitled “Cable Retaining Device”.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a clip which is molded as a single piece.
It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a clip with simplified assembly.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a clip with a retention force which is not limited by any insertion force required during the installation.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a clip which is long-wearing, preferably without a metal-to-plastic rotational interface.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a clip with a minimized tendency to rattle.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a clip with minimized endplay between the two relatively rotatable.
These and other objects are attained by the present invention by providing a clip wherein the two relatively rotatable members are initially formed as a single piece during the molding process. Opposed windows are configured to provide internal gates to fill both members. These opposed windows are used to form the swivel shaft and its accompanying bore. A variety of window, shaft and gate configurations are possible, but common to all is the opposition of the windows. The windows meet in the “female” member forming the swivel shaft, bore and internal gates. The opposition of the windows creates a strong joint between the shaft and discs of the “male” member. After the gates are broken, the vestiges of the gates provide support for the shaft and minimize side play.
The swivel prong configuration of this invention includes a hollow box prong which provides access to create the lower two windows needed to form the flash gate. Both of the relatively rotatable members include support bosses to eliminate endplay through a full revolution.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3023990 (1962-03-01), Gunthel, Jr.
patent: 4518295 (1985-05-01), Matuschek
patent: 4582288 (1986-04-01), Ruehl
patent: 4669688 (1987-06-01), Itoh et al.
patent: 4680837 (1987-07-01), Rubinstein
patent: 4842237 (1989-06-01), Wollar
patent: 5002243 (1991-03-01), Kraus et al.
patent: 5014939 (1991-05-01), Kraus et al.
patent: 5133523 (1992-07-01), Daigle et al.
patent: 5367750 (1994-11-01), Ward
patent: 5397093 (1995-03-01), Chubb et al.
patent: 5709498 (1998-01-01), Sova et al.
patent: 5799986 (1998-09-01), Corbett et al.
patent: 5799987 (1998-09-01), Sampson
patent: 5820048 (1998-10-01), Shereyk et al.
patent: 5984242 (1999-11-01), Meyer
patent: 2218462 (1989-11-01), None

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